Band Broke Noise Rules, Group Says

An anti-noise organization in Costa Mesa charged Sunday that Pacific Amphitheatre’s inaugural concert this season violated city and county noise restrictions.

Russell Millar, president of Concerned Citizens of Costa Mesa Inc., which has been battling the outdoor amphitheater in court for the past four years, said a “horrendously loud noise” came from the British rock group Yes at the amphitheater Saturday night.

Monitored Sound

As he frequently does, Concerned Citizens’ consultant Sam Lane monitored sound from the Pacific Amphitheatre on Saturday night. Lane and his sound-measuring equipment were positioned in the back yard of a residence on Presidio Drive, about 2,000 feet from the amphitheater.

“The main act (Yes) came on at 8:18 Saturday night, and their music exceeded the noise ordinances of both the city of Costa Mesa and Orange County,” Lane said.

“The city and county ordinances say that noise shall not exceed 50 db’s (decibels) . . . for more than 30 minutes each hour. The main act on Saturday night was in excess of 50 db’s for two hours.”

Pacific Amphitheatre officials could not be reached for comment.

Millar said noise graphs made by Lane will be turned over to Concerned Citizens’ lawyer.

“I cannot speak for our attorney, but I assume he will turn this information over to the court,” said Millar. “We’re pursuing a contempt citation against the amphitheater for having violated previous (Orange County Superior Court) orders against noise.”

Exceeded 50 Decibels

Lane said he measured Yes’ loudness with a sound-level meter that was attached to a graphic recorder. The instruments showed that the rock group exceeded 50 decibels for 37 minutes in the first hour of the concert and for 40 minutes in the second hour, he said.

“The levels ranged from 50 to 66 db’s,” Lane said. “It exceeded the noise limits by far. The noise was quite intrusive.”